Faculty, staff present at book festival

Now in its eighth year, the Wisconsin Book Festival has something for everyone during five days of panels, workshops and performances by local and nationally recognized authors. UW–Madison plays a large role, from hosting campus events to spotlighting books published by the UW Press. Among the many related activities:

• Wednesday, Oct. 7:

  The Children’s Cooperative Book Center (CCBC) presents its 12th annual Charlotte Zolotow lecture, given by “Wicked” author Gregory Maguire. This talk is aimed at adults, based on his writing for children and teens. Maguire speaks at 7:30 p.m. in the Memorial Union Theater.

• Thursday, Oct. 8:

  Lorrie Moore, professor of English, discusses her new novel, “A Gate at the Stairs,” alongside Michael Perry, author of memoirs including “Coop: A Year of Poultry, Pigs and Parenting.” The evening will conclude with the 2009 Wisconsin Book Festival Party, featuring live music by Michael Perry & the Long Beds. This event begins at 7:30 p.m. at the Orpheum Theatre (216 State St.).

• Saturday, Oct. 10:

  James Danky, faculty associate in journalism and co-founder of the Center for the History of Print Culture, provided insightful commentary for the recent Chazen Museum of Art exhibit “Underground Classics: The Transformation of Comics into Comix.” With Paul Buhle and Lynda Barry, Danky will present “A Serious Look at Comics” at noon in the Overture Center’s Promenade Hall (201 State St.).

K.T. Horning, director of the CCBC, joins a panel including Wisconsin’s first lady Jessica Doyle to discuss “Everything I Need to Know I Learned from a Children’s Book.” In this book, 110 American leaders discuss how their childhood reading influenced their lives. Audience participation is strongly encouraged at this event, taking place from 2:30–4 p.m. in the Overture Center’s Promenade Hall.

Alfred McCoy, professor of history, joins Boston University’s Andrew Bacevich and Paul Buhle of Brown University to discuss the “Enduring Relevance of the Wisconsin School: What William Appleman Williams Got Right and Where He Went Wrong.” On the 50th anniversary of Williams’ book “The Tragedy of American Diplomacy,” this discussion is a must for anyone interested in foreign policy. Bacevich begins the presentation at 5:30 p.m. in the Overture Center’s Promenade Hall.

Also, don’t miss two much-loved book sales taking place on campus during the festival.

The Friends of the UW–Madison Libraries present its fall book sale — the largest in Wisconsin — from Oct. 7–11 at the Memorial Library. Oct. 7 is a preview day, with $5 entry; all other days have free entry. Books abound on nearly every subject imaginable; all proceeds benefit the UW libraries.

On Oct. 10, stop by the Friends of the CCBC Fall Book Sale from 8 a.m.–2 p.m. in room 4207, Helen C. White Hall for new and gently used children’s and young adult books. Become a member of the Friends at the door and receive a $1 discount per book.